The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. – Hans Hofmann, Introduction to the Bootstrap, 1993
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction. – E.F. Schumacher (Thanks, Arly)
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. – Albert Einstein, possibly a paraphrase by Roger Sessions
Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough. – Charles Warner
Everything we possess that is not necessary for life or happiness becomes a burden, and scarcely a day passes that we do not add to it. – Robert Brault, rbrault.blogspot.com
The trouble with simple living is that, though it can be joyful, rich, and creative, it isn’t simple. – Doris Janzen Longacre
I’m just a simple guy, I live from day to day. A ray of sunshine melts my frown and blows my blues away. – Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Bonham, “Out On The Tiles” (Led Zeppelin)
Maybe a person’s time would be as well spent raising food as raising money to buy food. – Frank A. Clark
Material blessings, when they pay beyond the category of need, are weirdly fruitful of headache. – Philip Wylie
I like to walk about among the beautiful things that adorn the world; but private wealth I should decline, or any sort of personal possessions, because they would take away my liberty. – George Santayana, “The Irony of Liberalism”
Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials. – Lin Yutang
Anything simple always interests me. – David Hockney
Our affluent society contains those of talent and insight who are driven to prefer poverty, to choose it, rather than submit to the desolation of an empty abundance. – Michael Harrington
How many things are there which I do not want. – Socrates
More good has been accomplished by simple people seeking their own honest ends than by all the philanthropists in history. – Robert Brault, rbrault.blogspot.com
Remember that in giving any reason at all for refusing, you lay some foundation for a future request. – Arthur Helps, Essays Written in Intervals of Business, 1841
People overestimate the pleasure they’ll get from having more stuff. This does not apply to new rose bushes, crayons, or yarn stashes. – Dr.SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com
The best things in life are not only free, but the line is shorter. – Robert Brault, rbrault.blogspot.com
Who is rich? He who rejoices in his portion. – The Talmud
In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness. – Henry David Thoreau
